And the LORD shall scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other; and there thou shalt serve other gods, which neither thou nor thy fathers have known, even wood and stone.

DEUTERONOMY 28:64KJV
Know the Bible

Deuteronomy 28:64 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 28:64 mean?

Deuteronomy 28:64 says that the LORD will scatter the people of Israel among all nations, from one end of the earth to the other, and there they will end up serving foreign gods made of wood and stone—gods that neither they nor their ancestors ever knew. This is described as a consequence for not following God's covenant.

In this verse, Moses is speaking to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land, warning them of what will happen if they turn away from God. The verse is part of a longer section listing the curses that will come upon Israel if they break their agreement with God, including exile and being forced into unfamiliar religious practices in foreign lands.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 28:64

  • "Scatter" (פָּרַץ, pārats, H6327): This word means to disperse or spread out. Here, it emphasizes a complete and forceful removal from their homeland, not just a temporary or local displacement.
  • "Serve" (עָבַד, ʿāvad, H5647): This word means to work for or worship. In this context, it points to the Israelites being compelled to worship foreign gods, not out of devotion but as a result of their circumstances in exile.
  • "Gods" (אֱלֹהִים, ʾĕlōhîm, H430): This is the common word for gods or divine beings. The verse stresses that these are not the true God of Israel, but powerless idols made of "wood" (עֵץ, ʿēts, H6086) and "stone" (אֶבֶן, ʾeven, H68), highlighting their emptiness.

Why Deuteronomy 28:64 matters

  • This verse clarifies that exile and forced worship of foreign gods are not random events but direct consequences of breaking the covenant with God, showing the seriousness of Israel's relationship with Him.
  • The mention of "wood and stone" gods underlines the contrast between the living God of Israel and the lifeless idols of other nations, making the warning even more pointed.
  • Deuteronomy 28:64 connects to the larger context of blessings and curses in Deuteronomy 28, helping readers understand the conditional nature of Israel's covenant and the historical reasons behind later events like the Babylonian exile.

Where else these words appear

“scatter” Hebrew H6327 · used in 66 verses

  • Genesis 10:18 And the Arvadite, and the Zemarite, and the Hamathite: and afterward were the families of the Canaanites spread abroad.
  • Job 37:11 Also by watering he wearieth the thick cloud: he scattereth his bright cloud:
  • Ezekiel 12:15 And they shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall scatter them among the nations, and disperse them in the countries.

“end” Hebrew H7097 · used in 87 verses

  • Genesis 8:3 And the waters returned from off the earth continually: and after the end of the hundred and fifty days the waters were abated.
  • Joshua 4:19 And the people came up out of Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and encamped in Gilgal, in the east border of Jericho.
  • Psalms 46:9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.